Advance Directives

Does everyone know what they are? I have some plans in the back of my mind to have an end of life care planning party the next time my whole family is together. I really think it is a topic of conversation that everyone needs to discuss with their loved ones. Everyone!

So, just in case you don't know, I will tell you what advance directives are. They are sometimes called "living wills." So, you all know what a will is, right? You get to decide what happens to your stuff after you die. Well a living will dictates what happens to your body when you are unable to do the dictating for yourself. For example, in your old age you get pneumonia and are on a ventilator to keep you breathing and you are unconscious. Or tomorrow you get in a car accident and are comatose. Things like that. Things we don't want to think about because they are scary and no one wants them to happen. But they do!

Generally people are either considered "Full code" or "DNR". If you are full code status we will do everything possible to keep you alive, and everything possible to bring you back if you die. If you are DNR, we will (or at least should) do everything possible to keep you alive, and let you go if you die. I have the opinion that everyone should fill out the paperwork in their state to specify which they would prefer- even if you would want everything done. However, it is even more important to have a discussion with your family.

Everyone has a different idea of the value of quality vs. quantity of life. Some people really want to be kept alive no matter how much pain they're in, how dependent they are, and how clear their cognitive abilities. Others would rather pass than stay in a mortal state that is less than optimal. If your family ever gets put in the position when they have to make these kinds of decisions for you, it will be so much better if they know what you want. People feel guilty over letting loved ones go, and they also feel guilty over watching them suffer. If they know what you would want, it makes it so much easier. Plus you get what you want. And no one has to fight over it. Families get torn apart over this stuff!

Sorry if that was morbid. It is just something I really believe in.